University of Massachusetts PubHlth 620 Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System Spring 2022 Professor Dr. Faisal Aboul-Enein, DrPH, MSN, MPH, RN, FNP-BC, FRPSH, FACHE faboulenein@schoolph.umass.edu 832-731-5398 Description This is a required introductory course for students in the MPH curriculum. It is a broad survey of the various components of the U.S. health system, emphasizing the historical development of the various institutions which make up the system, and financial analysis of those institutions as they currently exist. This is a class in neither health care policy nor health care management. While we will address certain policy and management issues in lecture and discussion, the course does not make extensive use of management case studies, nor is it an expansive seminar on the development of U.S. policy. In addition, we will not address health care systems of countries outside the U.S. By the end of the course, it is expected that the student will have a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which health care is delivered and financed in this country, in addition to understanding why the system is structured as it is. The books for this course are: Kovner and Jonas's Health Care Delivery in the United States, (11th edition), (New York: Springer), and two recommended books: Paul Starr, The Social Transformation of American Medicine (New York: Basic, 2002); and Jonathan Engel, Poor People's Medicine (Durham: Duke U. Press, 2006)' all available at the U. Mass. Bookstore, or online on Amazon. There are a few supplementary readings which I may ask you to look up on ebscohost or proquest (available through the U. Mass. library website). One last point: this class, more than most, is enriched by the wealth of professional experience which students bring to it. Please feel free to bring up examples from your work, or call upon personal experiences to vivify the online discussions. Also, if an interesting article or memo crosses your desk which you think that the class might enjoy, please tell the class about it in the threaded discussions. Mechanics The class consists of seven units, each of which has a posted lecture and reading assignment, and five threaded discussion for units 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Read through the lecture and required for each unit, and participate in the online threaded discussion. For each discussion, I expect each student to post, at minimum, at least one substantial thread (1-2 paragraphs) and one follow-up thread ( a few sentences). Of course you may participate as much as you wish. Also, I urge you to try to post early in the unit, as this leads to more vigorous and interactive discussion. I do want discussion, by the way, and not just a series of unrelated postings. Insofar as possible, respond to each other rather than drafting an original essay and posting it. The class is simply more fun and interesting that way. The class has a required 10-15 page paper, due at the end of unit 7 ON 4 MAY 2022 at 11:59PM EST. The paper may be on any topic of your choosing related to healthcare policy, management, and delivery. Please write me by the end of unit 2 to clear a topic. Mechanics of Posting The threaded discussions are a critical part of the class, and I urge you to use them to respond to your classmates rather than simply composing an independent essay and posting it. The idea here is to replicate a class discussion; not simply create an electronic bulletin board. Outcomes and Competencies By the end of the course, the student will be able to do the following: Identify the main components of the organization, financing and delivery of health services and public health system in the U.S. Describe the policy process for improving the health status of populations; Describe the legal and ethical bases of public health and health services; Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues; Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships; Apply principles of strategic planning and marketing to public health; Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies; Apply the principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives; Explain methods of ensuring community health and safety preparedness; and Apply “systems thinking” for resolving organizational problems; Apply the ecological model to the understanding of public health systems, issues and solutions; Analyze the ethical and legal dimensions of public health practice; Understand the administrative, financial, workforce culture, and delivery mechanisms that guide the operations and impact of the public health system; Use an understanding of cultural diversity, genomics, and public health system challenges to articulate programs to reduce health disparity globally; Apply social, behavioral, and cultural theories to understand program needs and intervention strategies in public health; Communicate effectively in writing, oral and electronic delivery modes. Identify and analyze the social, economic, legal, ethical and political issues germane to national and local health policies. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, dynamics, structure, financing and function of the health care delivery system. Apply theoretical concepts and practical techniques of administration to the management of health programs. Design and implement effective health services. Grading Participation in threaded discussions: Final Paper: 50% 50% Grading Scale Grading Scale A 94 and over A- 90-92 B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82 C+ 77-79 C 73-76 F 72 and below Accommodation Policy Statement The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), Learning Disabilities Support Services (LDSS) or Psychological Disabilities Services (PDS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify me within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements. Academic Honesty Policy Intellectual honesty requires that students demonstrate their own learning during discussions, projects and activities; and other sources of information are to be appropriately credited. You are responsible to review and adhere to the policy on Academic Honesty contained at http://www.umass.edu/gradschool/handbook Unit Assignments Unit 1 JANUARY 24 TO FEBRUARY 6 Introduction Read Lecture 1 and Jonas, Chapter 1 Introduce yourself in the threaded discussions area Unit 2 FEBRUARY 7 TO FEBRUARY 20 Hospitals Read Lecture 2 Jonas, Chapters 9 and 10 Starr, Book 1, Chapter 4 Participate in threaded discussion Add: Who Bears the Cost of the Uninsured? Nonprofit Hospitals. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/who-bears-the-cost-of-the-uninsurednonprofit-hospitals Unit 3 FEBRUARY 21 TO MARCH 6 Training and Professionals and Ambulatory Care Read Lecture 3 and Jonas, Chapter 15 Participate in the threaded discussion Unit 4 MARCH 7 TO MARCH 20 Mental Health Care, Rural and Primary Care, Long Term Care Read Lecture 4 Jonas, Chapters 12, 13 Engel, chapters 3 and 4 Participate in threaded discussion Unit 5 MARCH 21 TO APRIL 3 Research and Technology and Public Health and Health Statistics Read Lecture 5 and Jonas, Chapters 5, 6 Participate in the threaded discussion Unit 6 APRIL 4 TO APRIL 17 Risk and Private Insurance, Medicare and Medicaid Read Lecture 6 Jonas, Chapters 3, 4, 8 Engel, chapters 2, 3, and 11 Participate in threaded discussion Unit 7 APRIL 18 TO MAY 4 (LAST DAY OF CLASS) Managed Care Read Lecture 7 Jonas, Chapters 2, 11, 14 Starr, Book 2, chapter 5 Papers due to me by 11:59PM EST on 4 MAY, 2022 . Please send the paper to me as an email attachment at fasoola@hotmail.com. Please title the paper. 620.Lastname.doc. If you need legitimate extra time please write to me by the beginning of unit 7.
